close the deal passed this week with no news.

The New Jersey-based James Dwyer Hospitality Group announced in January that it expected to complete the purchase of the empty Warwick property by the end of last month.

But the company, and Belmont owners Forte Hotels, have been dodging telephone calls from The Royal Gazette all week.

Meanwhile, Tourism Minister David Allen, revealed that another company has expressed an interest in buying the Belmont, which closed in November 1998.

Mr. Allen refused to disclose the identity of the other company, but said yesterday: "I understand that there may be more than one entity that has expressed an interest.'' The saga of Mr. Dwyer's interest in the 151 bedroom Belmont stretches back to 1998 when he lost out in a bid to buy the property.

Mr. Dwyer, who owns the White Sands Hotel in Paget, said last year he was hopeful of closing the deal last September. He then put the date back to the end of last year.

Mr. Dwyer also launched an unsuccessful bid to buy the Sonesta Beach Resort in Southampton from Aetna Insurance.